Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard During the Winter

Martha’s Vineyard is home to so many incredible artists, and one of our favorite kinds of art to enjoy here on the Island is live music. The summer months are full of busy restaurants hosting talented musicians and featuring live music most nights of the week. However, you may be surprised at just how many exciting options there are to enjoy live music on Martha’s Vineyard during the winter too! With so many inspiring and talented musicians calling Martha’s Vineyard home, don’t be surprised to see a live set at our year-round bars, restaurants, and even libraries. Read on to discover where to enjoy live music on Martha’s Vineyard during the winter.

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha's Vineyard During the Winter - The Ritz In Oak Bluffs
The Ritz is Martha’s Vineyard’s most iconic dive bar. Photo by Jeremy Driesen

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard During the Winter – The Ritz In Oak Bluffs

The Ritz in Oak Bluffs is one of the most popular spots on the Island to go for live music. This iconic dive bar located on Circuit Ave. features live music in the summer and winter months! In the winter, the Ritz is the place to be on a Tuesday, where they host trivia night followed by karaoke! Even in the dead of winter, Tuesdays can draw a crowd. Throughout the week you can find any number of our popular Island musicians like Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish or the Mike Benjamin Band who perform regularly in the small but lively bar!

The Ritz also serves food courtesy of Nina’s, which offers traditional Brazilian fare through dinner time so you can grab a bite to eat while you listen to the show. Although they are closed for the month of February, the Ritz will open back up in March with their regularly scheduled live music!

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha's Vineyard in the Winter - Offshore Ale Co. in Oak Bluffs
Johnny Hoy and Delanie Pickering are two Island musicians that play Offshore Ale regularly. Photo courtesy Offshore Ale.

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard in the Winter – Offshore Ale Co. in Oak Bluffs

Offshore Ale is another spot in Oak Bluffs that stays open year-round and is always worth visiting, for a pint of their award-winning beer or wood-fired pizza, made even more enjoyable with the sounds of live music playing in the background. During the winter months, Offshore has a rotation of musicians who play inside the Island’s only brewpub. Check their schedule of events and make a plan to get in on the action.

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard – Sweet Life Cafe in Oak Bluffs

If you’re looking for some fine dining accompanied by live music in the winter, Sweet Life Cafe is the place to be on Thursday evenings when local pianist Jeremy Berlin entertains. Sweet Life offers a unique and delicious menu that’s always changing and a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. With beautifully presented meals, incredible food, and weekly live music what more do you need for the perfect date night? This is a quieter alternative for listening to live music at a restaurant on the Island, as the other options are generally more lively. As a family-owned business with primarily locally sourced ingredients, we are big fans of the Sweet Life! 

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha's Vineyard in the Winter - The West Tisbury Library
Eric Johnson on guitar and Jeremy Berlin on piano perform at the West Tisbury library. Photo by Larisa Stinga for the MV Times

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard in the Winter – The West Tisbury Library

For those interested in a different environment for their live music, one of our local libraries is the place to be. The West Tisbury library hosts live jazz concerts on the second Sunday of the month. This free community offering features different jazz bands who play indoors at the library. Starting at 2:30 pm, this is a great opportunity to get out of the house and do something different with your Sunday! Check out a new book you’ve been eyeing while you’re there. Also, don’t forget to read our recent blog post on all of the incredible events happening at the Island’s libraries. 

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard in the Winter – The Portuguese American Club

The Portuguese American Club, or PA Club, is another great option for musical entertainment during the winter. With bands playing live on Wednesdays and Fridays, plus a DJ on Saturdays, you can pick your favorite artist and make a night of it. The PA Club is also known as the home of Mo’s Lunch, which serves food until 7:30 pm, including a wide selection of spectacular sandwiches, daily specials, and unforgettable baked goods. The PA Club updates its Facebook page regularly with its music schedule, so follow along there and make sure you stop in and support your favorite artists! 

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha's Vineyard in the Winter - The Loft in Oak Bluffs
The Loft in Oak Bluffs hosts a variety of musical events throughout the year.

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard in the Winter – The Loft in Oak Bluffs

Another Oak Bluffs haunt is The Loft in Oak Bluffs which offers dance parties and DJ, and band sets year round, plus hosts the Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series in the summer. Located above the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company you can dine on seafood favorites downstairs then head upstairs for a night of dancing, all within steps of the Steamship Authority seasonal ferry terminal in Oak Bluffs.

Where to Enjoy Live Music on Martha’s Vineyard in the Summer

When it comes to live music options in the summer on Martha’s Vineyard, the list gets even longer, with places like Nomans, Port Hunter, and The Wharf offering packed entertainment calendars plus weekly outdoor music concerts across the Island. Stay tuned for our round-up of live music offerings in the summer months coming to the Point B MV Bog later this year. 

Live Music On Martha's Vineyard At Nomans in Oak Bluffs
Nomans is a popular indoor/outdoor restaurant offering live music regularly throughout the summer.

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